Various

Various: In Honor: A Compilation To Beat CancerIn Honor: A Compilation To Beat Cancer (2004)Vagrant Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

Contributed by: maverickScott(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on September 24th 2004There is no true way to review this compilation without saying "buy it now, you schmuck." Sure, over the course of the two-disc, 42-track release, there's quite a few duds. And every time I think about putting pen to paper [er, finger to keyboard?] to voice hatred to, say, Fear Before The March Of F.

There is no true way to review this compilation without saying "buy it now, you schmuck." Sure, over the course of the two-disc, 42-track release, there's quite a few duds. And every time I think about putting pen to paper [er, finger to keyboard?] to voice hatred to, say, Fear Before The March Of Flames or Recover, I restrain myself. Why? Well, because this whole project was compiled simply to raise money for the Sean McGrath Fund and Syrentha Savio Endowment, two cancer-prevention charities with big ties to the punk rock scene. So essentially, for me to complain about quality of some of the bands/songs on this compilation pretty much stamps my one-way ticket to hell. Instead, we'll focus on the musical postiives:

Disc One
After a brief introduction by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Dicky Barrett, the disc kicks off in proper with the Descendents' "One More Day." While initially I was disappointed due to the song being previously released, after just one listen I realized it was perfect for this comp, and it sets the mood for the rest of the two discs. Strangely enough, the previously released songs on disc one [from Rocky Votolato, Dolour, Somerset and Nikola Sarcevic} are by and large better than every unreleased track on the same disc.

Exceptions to this rule include Melee's gorgeous, somber piano-only version of "The War," And a surprisingly strong showing from Face To Face with "Coming Out Of Nowhere." Songs like these really capture the attitude of this compilation - anger, heartbreak, loss and sadness. None More Black also contribute the killer "They Got Milkshakes" -- this band is starting to suffer from Braid Syndrome (that is, all of their best songs are on compilations or limited releases).

As for the live tracks present, Jawbreaker's "Kiss The Bottle" is by-the-book, My Chemical Romance's "Headfirst For Halos" is by-the-suck, and the Bouncing Souls' "True Believers" is off-the-hook. I've never been a huge fan of this band, but their passion and emotion come through in this live rendition.

Disc Two
Starting off strong with a beautiful acoustic rendition of Thrice's "Staring At The Sun," the disc quickly slips into mediocrity with a number of half-assed tracks from the bigger names here [Recover, Piebald and a terrible acoustic throwaway of Taking Back Sunday's "You're So Last Summer"]. Depistado rips off At The Drive-In note-for-note with mixed results, and Fear Before The March Of Flames' unreleased song is a joke at best.

But none of that matters, once you hear Motion City Soundtrack's contribution -- an acoustic version of "My Favorite Accident." It's understated beauty showcases frontman Justin Pierre's unique voice as well as the band as a whole's strong songwriting talents. To strip away the fast-paced drums and catchy MOOG and still be this good is a gift.

The rest of disc two plays out without much catching the ear [outside of an interesting, if paint-by-numbers contribution from Minus The Bear] before Big D And The Kids Table's "Moment Without An End" takes the album out on top with the catchy refrain of "I want a moment without an end / I want to spend some time with my best friend." It's this simplistic rhyme that sums up what In Honor organizer Timmy Hansell was shooting for -- just one more chance to hang out with people like Sean McGrath, Syrenthia Savio, and his own mother, who passed away of cancer earlier this year. Questionable tracks aside, the passion and motivation behind this benefit compilation makes it an essential purchase for anyone who truly cares about the healing power of music.

The score is for the cause. My mom had stage 3 lung cancer & had 1/3 of her right lung removed. Nothings worse than going to a cancer hospital every day for months while a loved one gets radiation & chemo. My mom was in bad shape, but there were alot of people in far worse shape than her. She had the surgery & is getting better daily. In the months since, she grew her hair & put back on some weight. Just had her six month check up & she's still clean. *KNOCKS ON WOOD* As anyone who has gone through this or similar, you know you wouldnt wish it on anyone

Anonymous (September 28, 2004)

"Lousy Indie music store clerks. Best Buy it is."

don't hate on the clerks, a benefit album isn't exactly a monumental release (no offense to those involved). plus the guys at the Westminster Rec and Tape are really cool guys and, for the most part, have great taste in music. plus they're the only place within like 100 miles that sells vinyl.

and now that i think of it, it's kind of odd someone from around here is posting. small world.

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

Violence is never the answer.

-BSD

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

Great review, agreed with most everything you said: MCS and Melee were my favorite bands at the Warped Tour, glad to see people are finally appreicating them.

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

Haha, I'm not hatin rec and tape, I've got the card. It's more so the one here in Westminster I dont like.

"Anyone know where I can get an MP3 of the Motion City Sountrack song? I really need an acoustic version of that song for a project I'm doing, but can't find the comp anywhere."

You loser...a project...yea

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

Dont hate on record and tape traders yo...Buy a club card

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

I went to my local indie store who hadn't even heard of the comp ["Are you sure it's coming out? Maybe it's been pushed back." Fucking moron record store clerks], so they quickly lost my business to the nearby Best Buy, which had it in stock.

Seriously! I went to Record and Tape Traders the day it came out to get that and Green Day and the guy was like..."Well...umm....we usually get everything that Vagrant puts out...but umm...(searches computer) yea none of our stores have it....it was probably pushed back"

"6,000 Runners Fail To Discover Cure For Breast Cancer
ATLANTA‚??Despite their diligent, dedicated running, the 6,000-plus participants in Sunday's 5K Race For The Cure did not find a cure for breast cancer. Hopes were high, given the excellent weather... "

"Anyone know where I can get an MP3 of the Motion City Sountrack song? I really need an acoustic version of that song for a project I'm doing, but can't find the comp anywhere."

I went to my local indie store who hadn't even heard of the comp ["Are you sure it's coming out? Maybe it's been pushed back." Fucking moron record store clerks], so they quickly lost my business to the nearby Best Buy, which had it in stock.

If you can't find it at Best Buy, go to interpunk.com or something.

-Scott

Anonymous (September 26, 2004)

Cancer sucks. This is a good CD. If you don't buy it, you support cancer's crusade against good people. Plus, it also means you love terrorism.

In conclusion, buy this CD. Downloading's for fucking loosers.

Anonymous (September 26, 2004)

Anyone know where I can get an MP3 of the Motion City Sountrack song? I really need an acoustic version of that song for a project I'm doing, but can't find the comp anywhere.

Anonymous (September 26, 2004)

Seconds to go was just out on tour with Face to Face and my chemical romance for the farewell tour.

Anonymous (September 26, 2004)

Why is everyone so anti-scott all of a sudden? I'm not "kissing his ass" or anything, I'm just saying, do you want him to talk about EVERY song on a 40-something song compilation? I think he is doing a good job and even if I don't agree with his reviews 100% I still think he is good at letting you know alot about an album(what it sounds like, etc).

has anyone else noticed that scott, since hes departure from his postion on this site, has started callin people *fuckin morons* a lot?

haha i find it very amusing. i suppose when you aint in charge you can resort to petty name calling like the rest of us. careful....its like a drug.

Anonymous (September 25, 2004)

"pull your poster i've been looking for some anSWERS"

those arent even the right lyrics fool

Anonymous (September 25, 2004)

pull your poster i've been looking for some anSWERS

Anonymous (September 25, 2004)

i said i'm gonna have myself in shambles

Anonymous (September 25, 2004)

"As for the live tracks present, Jawbreaker's "Kiss The Bottle" is by-the-book, My Chemical Romance's "Headfirst For Halos" is by-the-suck, and the Bouncing Souls' "True Believers" is off-the-hook."

Hahahaha. That line rules. It seems as if the people that really wanted to contribute something to this cause have the best songs on this comp. I think I mean to say that you can definately tell the people that actually feel that this is something important as opposed to something that is just another comp (cough cough, taking back sunday, cough).